You can now sign up for a rail race across Japan You can now sign up for a rail race across Japan

Since Race Across the World hit our television screens in 2019, millions of Brits have been dreaming of attempting the challenge for themselves. While only five pairs can compete for the £20,000 prize (and the fame that comes with it) each season, you can give the racing element a go for yourself. Kind of.

Lupine Racing have been organising travel races since 2023, and the latest edition will see competitors scramble across Japan making use of the famed shinkansen trains – and you can sign up to take part now.

You’ll meet your fellow competitors on the start line in Tokyo, at which point you’ll be handed manga-style race pack with the checkpoints on it. Inspired by a fictional train driver, Mika, and the journeys she once shared with her grandfather, the race will take entrants to a mix of iconic landmarks and off-the-beaten-track hidden gems.

Taking place in spring next year, the four-day Shinkansen Scramble follows a rogaining format, and you’ll need to take a geo-tagged photo of yourself to prove you’ve ticked off various checkpoints.

The race format has proven incredibly popular, with some travellers taking part in multiple competitions, leading to the creation of a leaderboard. Previous competitions have been held in cities including Istanbul, Tirana, Marrakesh and Tallinn.

While plenty take the race seriously (and there are prizes for the first five to cross the finish line), others use it as an excuse to see sights they might not necessarily have considered if they were planning the trip for themselves.

“This race is about stepping into Japan with a spirit of curiosity,” said James Finnerty, race director. “The thrill of planning your journey on the road adds a whole new dimension – and means you’ll experience things you never expected to.”

Alongside Japan in spring 2026, Lupine Racing will also be holding races in Slovenia and across the Benelux region.

More information: lupine.co.uk/race

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